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The head of the Rockland Illegal Housing Task Force wants the District Attorney and his staff, which prosecuted the ill-fated Evergreen Adult Home case that was tossed last week, to resign. Justin Schwartz is also a member of the Spring Valley Fire Department where one of the Evergreen fire victims worked, and he laments that justice isn’t being served…

Rockland County Judge Kevin Russo Thursday dismissed the charges in connection with the 2021 fatal Spring Valley adult home fire against the former village Building Inspector, Wayne Ballard. In a statement to WRCR News, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said he believes “sufficient evidence was presented to establish the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Rockland County Judge Kevin Russo disagreed and we will comply with the decision.” On Thursday, Judge Russo dismissed the charges in connection with the 2021 fatal Spring Valley adult home fire against the former village Building Inspector, Wayne Ballard. Two people died in the blaze nearly two years ago, including 35 year-old Spring Valley volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd, and 79 year-old adult home resident, Oliver Hueston. Former fire chief Ray Canario, a former village building inspector, faces the same charges as Ballard. His trial has yet to start. Rabbis Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer still face manslaughter, negligent homicide, arson, assault, and other charges in causing the blaze when they were preparing the home’s kitchen for Passover. They have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go before Judge Russo on February 14th.

A Rockland County judge yesterday dismissed the charges in connection with the 2021 fatal spring Valley adult home fire against the former village Building Inspector, Wayne Ballard. That’s according to the Journal News. Judge Kevin Russo determined the D-A failed to prove Ballard knowingly provided false information in a state report on the village’s inspections four years ago, or that he tried to defraud the state Department of State. Two people died in the blaze nearly two years ago, including 35 year-old Spring Valley volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd, and 79 year-old adult home resident, Oliver Hueston. Former fire chief Ray Canario, a former village building inspector, faces the same charges as Ballard. His trial has yet to start. Rabbis Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer still face manslaughter, negligent homicide, arson, assault, and other charges in causing the blaze when they were preparing the home’s kitchen for Passover. They have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go before Judge Russo on February 14th.

Staff at Nanuet High School are being praised after a student with a gun was caught before any damage could be done. The student was caught Monday afternoon with a loaded gun. The student was arrested by Clarkstown Police and charged with two gun crimes. Rockland’s sheriff Lou Falco isn’t involved in the investigation, but he says his department and all local police departments are always ready in case cooler heads do not prevail…

The Clarkstown Detective Bureau continues to investigate the incident. There have been no reports of any threats made by the suspect against students or staff.

A Nanuet High School student faces gun charges after being found with a loaded gun Monday on campus. Clarkstown Police Detective Norm Peters says the investigation began around 3pm Monday afternoon when Nanuet Senior High School staff received an anonymous tip that a student, who was not identified, may have a firearm at school… 

The student was charged with second degree criminal possession of weapon and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds. The Clarkstown Detective Bureau continues to investigate the incident. There have been no reports of any threats made by the suspect against students or staff.

One was killed and two others injured after a three-car crash on Saturday in Airmont. Ramapo Police say it happened around 10:00 am at the intersection of Airmont Road and Route 59. Police say a 2012 Nissan Rogue, operated by a 41-year-old woman from Mahwah was travelling eastbound on Route 59. She entered the intersection at Airmont Road, crossed over into the westbound lane of Route 59 traffic and struck a 2021 Hyundai Sonata, driven by an 85-year-old man from Montebello. Both cars then hit a tow truck that was being operated by a 58-year-old Airmont resident, which was also in the Route 59 westbound lane. All were taken to area hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. The 85 year-old was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital.